Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak watches from the sidelines against the Houston Texans during the second half at LP Field. / Don McPeak, USA TODAY Sports

by Jim Wyatt, USA TODAY Sports

by Jim Wyatt, USA TODAY Sports

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Mike Munchak gets another chance to right the ship for the Titans.

Indications are team president/CEO Tommy Smith has decided to retain the coach for the 2014 season, people with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The people spoke under the condition of anonymity since the team has not made a formal announcement.

Munchak will have to meet certain conditions, but is expected to do so.

The Titans finished 7-9, putting Munchak on the hot seat with one year remaining on his contract. He met with Smith on Friday in Houston and convinced him that the team is close to a breakthrough.

The Titans did not announce their intentions for Munchak. Smith and Webster issued statements after the meeting.

"I said all along that we would review every aspect of the football operations at the conclusion of the season - in early January," Smith said. "Today I sat down with Ruston and Mike and we discussed every coach and player on the roster. We had good discussions, but no final decisions were made."

Said Webster: "We had a good conversation in regards to the team and moving forward. Nothing final has been decided at this point, but we hope to have a decision soon."

The Titans haven't been to the playoffs since 2008 and haven't won a playoff game in a decade.

Munchak, who replaced Jeff Fisher in 2011, has a record of 22-26.

The Titans went 9-7 in Munchak's first season as head coach, missing the playoffs by one game. They went 6-10 in 2012, when the defense set a franchise record for points allowed in a season.

Following an offseason when the Titans spent more than $100 million on free agents, expectations were high for 2013, especially after a 3-1 start. But they lost eight of 10 games at one point and needed a two-game winning streak against the Jaguars and Texans to finish 7-9.

After last Sunday's 16-10 win over the Texans, Munchak and his players said they hoped Smith would give the coach another chance in 2014.

The Titans still have plenty of issues to sort through, including some on Munchak's staff. Defensive coordinator Jerry Gray and senior assistant Gregg Williams both have expiring contracts. Running back Chris Johnson is scheduled to make $8 million in 2014, and quarterback Jake Locker is heading into the final year of his contract.

"I feel real good about this team, how we have grown as a team throughout the year. I see it first-hand every day. I see the tape. I see what we are doing. I think I have a great feel for what we need as we continue to get better,'' Munchak said.

"I don't think we are that far off. I think you saw that in the way we played this year. I don't think you saw a team that last year we had a hard time hanging in games. This year, we were right there. We just got to find, get a few closures. We just need to find a few more guys to help us close out games and we'll be in great shape."